By Guy Page
Residents along Lower Waterford Road in Waterford are calling on town officials to investigate a major fly infestation that kept families indoors for nearly two weeks in late May, the Caledonian-Record reports.
Several neighbors spoke at Monday’s Select Board meeting, describing swarms of flies so dense they couldn’t eat in their homes. Janet Bingham said her family had to eat meals in their car due to the overwhelming number of insects, calling the situation “intolerable and very unhealthy.”
The outbreak appeared shortly after a foul, burning odor was reported on May 16. Resident Priscilla Foster likened the smell to “rotting flesh” and said flies filled the area two days later.
Some residents suspect a nearby chicken farm—reportedly affiliated with Pete & Gerry’s Organic Eggs—may be responsible, citing recent manure spreading. However, they said the smell was far worse than typical farm activity. A representative from Pete & Gerry’s could not be reached for comment.
While some, like resident Kathy Hodgdon, suggested the flies may simply be part of a seasonal surge, others said this spring’s infestation was unlike anything they had experienced before.
“This is our third year here and it’s never happened before,” Foster said. “It nearly drove me from my home.” For more information read the report in today’s Caledonian-Record, the daily newspaper published in St. Johnsbury.